Folding Bikes - Can you recommend a bike for my situation?

Show me a more portable bike than this and I'll buy it.

Even if it's not a "knock off", EvilV?:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

Regards from Florida, USA
Edward
"Cheap Folder Collector"

There should be a "beautiful places I brought my bike (or my bike brought me) in the folder forum.

Excellent idea! I am sure I'm not the only person with some awesome pictures captured during commuting.

This is part of my route to the pub ->


Nice Route !!

There should be a "beautiful places I brought my bike (or my bike brought me) in the folder forum.

We really should do that. I have seen some stunning pictures on this forum scattered about in different threads. It would be good to have a stickied thread full of inspiring and beautiful biking scenery.

Exactely (both of you). And this is why I always ride with a wery happy dog who just lowe to run with the bike. Twice the joy.


That's great fun isn't it. My Border Terrier ***** is getting a bit long in the tooth to be running with my bike now, but she used to follow my mountain bike for miles - maybe ten or more in her younger days.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mxD813fC848/SXRd2CEy33I/AAAAAAAABUg/czxgzQwCcaQ/s512/Image03.jpg

I think you are referring to my ridiculous scarf in the house. LOL. I just hadn't bothered to divest myself of outdoor gear before looking at the laptop and making impetuous photographs of my beastly self and my horrid knock off. Put it down to three pints of ale and a stiff ride in snow flurries - or early onset Altzhiemers or something.

Rest assured I heat my house adequately with a knock off boiler and gas tapped from my neighbour's supply.


:eek:




:roflmao:

I'm 5'2", female.
I live in a 6 floor walk-up apartment
I'm in NYC - I will only be riding it at Central Park or the NYC Greenway for leisure and exercise. I won't be riding in traffic with cars since I'm too chicken.

5'4" NYC resident here. I am lucky enough to live in an elevator building now, but I know full well the joys of 6th floor walkups.. With that in mind, here's some slightly different advice.

Forget the super light carbon bikes.
Try the Strida and CarryMe, but if you decide they're not for you,

Buy a cheap beater bike on Craigslist, buy the strongest Kryptonite Fuhgettaboutit New York Lock (if you buy a used lock, make sure it's not vulnerable to the Bic pen trick). Lock the bike up carefully outside your apartment every night. Take the saddle upstairs with you, and maybe the front wheel. Done.

excellent advice, dshwarz,
I was going to type a long drawn out post stating how that's a fact of life
living in nyc.

That's great fun isn't it. My Border Terrier ***** is getting a bit long in the tooth to be running with my bike now, but she used to follow my mountain bike for miles - maybe ten or more in her younger days.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_mxD813fC848/SXRd2CEy33I/AAAAAAAABUg/czxgzQwCcaQ/s512/Image03.jpg

A really cute one! I was thinking of something that size, when this one knocked on the door..

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/badmother-bikes/Bestfriend2.jpg

and I could not resist.

He knows how to rest this one.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/badmother-bikes/FrsteavRoypdogbike.jpg

Rest assured I heat my house adequately with a knock off boiler and gas tapped from my neighbour's supply.


:eek:

Is this why you keep such a small dog? Cheaper to feed?:D:D

A really cute one! I was thinking of something that size, when this one knocked on the door..

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/badmother-bikes/Bestfriend2.jpg

and I could not resist.

He knows how to rest this one.

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/badmother-bikes/FrsteavRoypdogbike.jpg

My guy Fred tips the scales a bit further up... he's relegated to a trailer on our longer rides .. I use a Downtube FS with Schlumpf MountainDrive / Nexus Redband 8spd hub and a Solvit Trailer (http://www.solvitproducts.com/trailers_main.htm).. we look quite the site when the rig is loaded...


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/738761389_de4f625e35_b.jpg

Oh dear, almost a horse that one! I`d want flat roads if I pulled that one. Does he like to run or is he lazy? Mine is a runner, but to a limit, and sometimes it is too hot. Breed?

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk51/badmother-bikes/Bestfriend2.jpg



Now that dog will be able to run twenty miles and no mistake. I was thinking about getting one of those when my old b i t c h barks her last.




http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1029/738761389_de4f625e35_b.jpg

Yes you'll need low gears to pull him up hill Bruce.

Is this why you keep such a small dog? Cheaper to feed?:D:D

What d'ya mean CHEAP? She must eat 30 cents a day!!

This thread is way off topic.

Anyway, I find foldables easier to carry when folded or unfolded, because of their smaller wheels.

Caveat: some folders have larger wheels (e.g. 26" wheels), and some non-folders also have small wheels.

Just a thought.

This thread is way off topic.
...
Oh, you think?:roflmao2:

Seriously, I'd suggest the OP get over her prejudice against 16" wheels, though frankly the difference between 16" and 20" isn't that great. At any rate, at 5' 2", I suggest she avoid 26" or larger wheels; so a folder is definitely indicated. Beyond that, she should also make sure the handlebar height is adjustable-- on many cheap folding bikes it is not possible to get the handlebar down low enough for a comfortable ride.

As for as carrying a bike up the stairs... weight is an issue, but equally (if not more) important is how the weight is distributed, whether there's a convenient handle, whether the bike is going to try to unfold itself at the least opportune moment, etc.


While the Strida may be a good choice for compactness and weight (I don't own one), please be aware that New York is NOT flat. I wouldn't buy any bike that doesn't have at least 3 gears, and given a choice I'd opt for more, no question. There ARE hills in Central Park, and if you intend to do any riding elsewhere in New York, be aware that there are parts of Manhattan that are most definitely hilly.

Yes, there are hills in NYC, but nothing a Strida can't handle. I've ridden mine over the Queensborough bridge many times, that's a lot like a hill. Strida, especially a mini-strida, may be just what OP needs. Though of course if you're planning to take my advice about getting the handlebar down to an appropriate height, you might as well toss the Strida idea right out.

The OP also posted this question in the Family and Rec forum. Strida (and R20:eek:) has been suggested to her. I think a R20 that is not modded is not a good idea. Seriously heavy.